IRS Employee Indicted in Bribery Case

DALLAS—An IRS employee, Fernando Hernandez, was arrested today at his IRS office in Dallas on a felony bribery charge outlined in an indictment returned by a grand jury in Dallas earlier this week, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. Hernandez, 33, of Dallas, will make his initial appearance this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Wm. F. Sanderson, Jr.

The indictment charges Hernandez with one count of receiving a bribe by a public official and aiding and abetting. It alleges that in June 2005, Hernandez sought and accepted a $2000 cash payment from a U.S. taxpayer in return for Hernandez’ promise that he would ensure that no IRS representative would audit that taxpayer’s return.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. However, if convicted, Hernandez faces a maximum statutory sentence of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case is being investigated jointly by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Jarvis is in charge of the prosecution.

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